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Laundry Tricks

I have a high end front loading washing machine with many settings and options. There are many ways to save money with this type of machine. They use much less water that a conventional top loader.

I discovered that using the "speed wash" setting gets the clothes just as clean in almost half the time. I also use cold water on darks and colors and only use hot water on white sheets and towels. My clothes are done faster so I spend less time in the laundry room too. This setting has a high speed spin as well so my clothes are nearly dry when I take them out. Less time in the washer and dryer = lower electric bill. Note: I do save the delicate items and do one delicate wash as this setting is a bit too aggressive for some items. But hang all these items to dry so there is some savings.

I discovered that I only need to fill the soap tray to about a quarter of the "fill" line. I'm using much less soap and there is no residue. I also tear my dryer sheets in half and only use one if there are nylon/rayon items in the wash. Cotton clothes don't need dryer sheets.

I use the standard setting on the dryer. If the clothes are not completely dry, I hang them up anyway and they will dry very quickly. If there is a sweatshirt or other item that needs more time, I lay it out on top of the dryer during the next load and the heat will dry it quickly. They only time I dry all the way is with towels.

You can wear things more than once and hang towels between showers. If you shower at night then you may be able to use you PJ's more than once. Hanging up towels after a shower also saves money, time, water etc. I invested in a couple of the fancy stick up hooks. They were pricey to start with but have stayed up without damaging marble tiles and still look nice, definitely worth a few extra dollars.

Try checking the settings on your appliances. See if there is a way to save money, use less water or electricity. Also try the half method on other things, fill the hand soap bottle half with water, use half the shampoo and anywhere else you might not have thought of before.

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About Gary

For more than 25 years, Gary Foreman has worked to manage money effectively. Prior to starting The Dollar Stretcher, he was a financial planner and purchasing manager.
While helping clients manage their hard earned money as a financial planner, he applied commonsense, time-tested techniques during the turbulent 1980’s. The experience convinced him that you didn’t need to hit the lottery to accumulate significant wealth.
Following that, Gary had an opportunity to learn more about how to get the best value for a dollar spent in the corporate world. As the Purchasing Manager for a computer manufacturer, he was responsible for supervising over $10 million in annual purchases.
Gary began The Dollar Stretcher website <www.TheDollarStretcher.com> and newsletters in April 1996. Over 300,000 readers benefit from the time and money saving ideas presented in The Dollar Stretcher newsletters each week. His mission is to help people "Live Better for Less".
He also provides private label newsletters for companies wishing to provide money saving information for their clients and/or prospects.
Gary lives in Florida along with his wife of thirty years and their two children. Much of his time is spent working with the men's ministry of his church. One of their ongoing projects is the "Holy Smoke BBQ" which sells bbq on Friday nights with the profits going to support local foster kids and orphans.
When he has a free moment you’ll find him restoring a Checker station wagon nicknamed “Two Ton” or cruising in a '65 Impala SS Convertible with doo-wops playing in the background.

Dollar Stretcher, Inc. does not assume responsibility for advice given. All advice should be weighed against your own abilities and circumstances and applied accordingly. It is up to the reader to determine if advice is safe and suitable for his or her own situation.